"If your eye is bored, your brain is bored." Those are the words of the ever-quotable Robert A.M. Stern, featured in a new documentary, Robert A. M. Stern: Always a Student, which was produced by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. The film, which ICAA Trustee Bunny Williams introduced during a premiere this week, is the first entry in a new series, "Design in Mind," highlighting architects, designers, artists, and other practitioners whose work engages with and enriches the world through classical architecture and art.

As a father of postmodernism and the founder of one of the most well-known architecture firms practicing in traditional style, Stern hardly needs an introduction. But his insightful provocations about the practice of architecture are as timely now as they’ve ever been. Architecture, according to Stern, is “a simple art of looking and thinking and doing what’s appropriate. If architectural practice isn’t about learning, what else is it about?”

In its efforts toward democratizing classical architecture for the world, the ICAA’s media experiences, like this week’s premiere, are seen as crucial to the organization in reaching wider, and younger, audiences. "Design in Mind" is funded by a grant from the Orville Gordon Browne Foundation.

Stern visits a building at Yale in a still from the film.

Photo: Courtesy of ICAA

“We couldn’t be more excited to step into film production with our new documentary series,” says ICAA president Peter Lyden. “And you couldn’t ask for a more perfect subject for the debut than Bob, whose work we admire so much. All of us at ICAA are absolutely thrilled by the great promise of telling so many fantastic stories about talented architects, artists, and designers to new audiences.” The next installment in the series will feature renowned director and producer James Ivory.

Following the film premiere on Wednesday, RAMSA partners Gary Brewer and Melissa DelVecchio joined Stern on stage for a panel discussion hosted by AD's own Decorative Arts Editor Mitchell Owens. “What’s great about the film series is that it humanizes architecture,” commented Brewer, who also serves on the ICAA’s board, during the discussion. “I think that most people think of architects as up in their ivory tower and the film shows not only the work and the attitude, but the process, so that people start to understand how a building, with an architect and a client and a contractor and an interior designer, comes together.”

A clip from the film.

Unsurprisingly, education was the central theme of the film and discussion. RAMSA’s projects reflect the firm's commitment to making beautiful architecture and environments available to students wherever they are; a recent project is the North Hall and Library at Bronx Community College. The ICAA and RAMSA both share this devotion to educating a new generation of architects and artists, as well as enthusiasts.

"Our firm displays a deep commitment to education by keeping an extensive library and supporting the continuing education of our staff,” says DelVecchio. “Everyone is involved in the development of our projects, from the youngest intern to our partners. It’s what keeps us vibrant.”

Touching on how modern architecture should be informed by the principles of classicism and how they can work together, DelVecchio expressed disdain over the “us versus them” mind-set and stressed that there are many areas where classicists and modernists can seek common ground and build a bridge by looking at all aspects in an effort to make architecture richer and better.

“One generation climbs on the shoulders of another, if it's wise enough to pay attention” concluded Stern. “I see my job as constant rediscovery, constant education, and the recapitulation of a lost means of communication.”

Robert A. M. Stern: Always a Student can be viewed in its entirety here.

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